Navigation Judicial ethics panel nixes judge’s law enforcement recertification request
A Florida judge may not maintain active law enforcement credentials by completing recertification training with — or accepting payment for that training from — the same police department where the judge once served, according to the Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee.
Acting June 16 in Opinion Number 2025-12, the JEAC said doing so would cast reasonable doubt on the judge’s impartiality.
The inquiring judge previously served as a reserve city police officer in the same county where the judge now sits. While no longer working in that capacity, the judge wishes to remain actively certified, which requires completing 40 hours of continuing education every four years. The judge, now due for the training, wants to complete it with the former police department — and have the department cover the cost.
